The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-08-25
A MONTANA HANGING.
A Thrilling Chapter in the Early History
of Helena.

The citizens of Helena, Mont, had
long been accustomed to deal out JUS
tice to criminals They found this
popular way far more speedy and eff
cient than the ordinary law courts.
Time gave them much experience in
handling criminals, and their calm,
unimpassioned, methodical way is well
illustrated in their treatment of the
villains who had attacked George Len
hart.
Lenhart was a kind-hearted old man,
who was well known and widely re-
spected He was found one morning
living senseless by the roadside and
covered with blood. On regaining
consciousness he said that while
riding homeward the previous night
he had been overtaken by two
horsemen. One of them shot
him in the thigh, and when
he had fallen from his horse they had
beaten him to insensibility. He des-
cribed the men and they were soon ar
rested and lodged in jail.
The following evening the citizens
met to talk the matter over. A gem
eral discussion was held, and then
clltf QulcllN iuJOUI " HICtI lIc
following day. An hour before the
appointed time a thousand men had
gathered at the place of meeting. A
chairman was appointed, and he stated
the general purpose for which they had
come together. There was not the
slightest excitement visible anywhere;
everything was quiet and orderly as a
camp-meeting.
A well-known merchant of the town
removed his hat and moved that jury
of twenty citizens be appointed to OBJ
tain evidence, to listen to arguments
for the prosecution and the defense,
and to declare to the assembly the
guilt or innocence of the persons ac-
cused. The motion was seconded and
then carried. The jury was selected,
and retired at once to a room to begin
its investigations.
Up to this time the prisoners had re-
manned in the Jail unmolested. But
the committee had use for them now,
and sent its marshal to bring them.
The marshal, with q number of men,
waited upon the sheriff, but that officer
declined to surrender his prisoners.
The marshal thereupon increased his
iOICt- StlLct Iiit Slltl III anu Ills dCDu-
ties and searched for the keys. When
these were found the officers of the law
were locked in a room together and a
guard placed over them that they
might not make themselves trouble
some. One of the prisoners was then
taken from the prison, and between Il
double line of citizens was led to the
committee-room. He made a full con-
fession and his accomplice did the
same. The committee, therefore, went
out before the assembly and reported
that the guilt of the prisoners was fully
established.
At this juncture the district Judge
appeared and asked to be heard. Per-
mission was granted. He entered a
long protest against this interference
with the civil authorities.
The Judge was listened to patiently
and respectfully. He was a good
enough man, but they had heard SINH
lar arguments fifty times before.
They had grown tired of sitting quiet
ly by and awaiting the laws delay,
while men were shot down and robbed
day after day.
Finally the vote was put by the
chairman: ''What shall be done with
the prisoners?" Hang themr' was
the response. Again and more care
fully the question was put. ''Is it
your decree that the prisoners, Joseph
Wilson and A. L. Compton, shall be
taken to Pine Tree, in Dry Gulch, and
there be hanged by the neck until they
are dead?" 1T is; that's the verdict!'
came from almost every person pres
ent.
1t was then 2;3O A motion pr
vailed that the prisoners be given till
4 O'Clock to prepare cor death.
Throughout the entire proceedings the
utmost decorun. and even solemnity
preEaiied among the crowd, which had
Rfauuss.Ily swelled to 5000 souls. At
20 time during the day had there been
| any loud talking or boisterous demon
stration.
At the appointed hour the gulch pre-
sented the appearance of vast amphi-
theater. 1t was lined with a dense
mass of human beings, who covered
the adjacent hills also. The town was
deserted. At 1880 the men were taken
from the room where they had been
confined. They were placed in a
wagon, and each appeared intent on
the words of the priest that was by his
side. The wagon halted under the
branches of the fatal tree. The rope
was thrown over the limb, prayers
were said, the horses were started, and
all was quickly over.-St. Paul Globe.